Fruity, light and and spicy – this year’s delicious light Christmas Cake. Made in a tray, it is perfect for a “quick night before, forgot to make a Christmas Cake”, kind of cake. Heavy fruit mince Christmas Cakes are a thing of the past, and this one has a small amount of fruit mince with some candied ginger, citrus peel and banana to lighten it. Its the type of cake you could make all year around without hesitation.
This cake can be eaten as soon as it has cooled and also stays fresh for up to two weeks in an airtight container, which makes it so versatile over the festive season.
Happy Christmas baking.
- 250 g 1 1/2cups mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins etc.)
- 60 g 1/3cup finely chopped glace ginger
- 450 g jar fruit mince
- 175 g butter chopped coarsely
- 150 g 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons citrus peel can use lemon and orange rind if you cant find citrus peel
- 125 ml 1/2cup brandy
- 5 ml 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 3 eggs beaten lightly
- 140 g 1/2 cup mashed banana. You will need about 2 bananas to make this weight
- 225 g 1 1/2cups plain flour
- 75 g 1/2 cup self raising flour
- 70 g 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
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Preheat the oven to 160ºC .
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Grease and line with baking paper a 32x22cm rectangular baking tray/oven tray.
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In a medium saucepan combine fruit mix, ginger, fruit mince, butter, sugar, citrus peel, lemon juice and the brandy. Stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and sugar dissolved. Bring to the boil and remove from the heat. Stir in the baking soda. This will make the mixture bubble up. Transfer to a large bowl to cool .
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Stir mashed banana and eggs into the fruit mixture.
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Sift the dry ingredients into the mixture and stir until well combined.
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Spread the mixture into the greased pan and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
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Bake for about 55 minutes.
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Test that it is cooked through and then allow to cool in the pan.
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Cut into squares and serve dusted with icing sugar.
14 Comments
Not only do the treats looks delicious, your styling captures the essence of the season beautifully. Well done Ev!
Thank you for your support Ratna – it is always so busy at this time of the year, so an easy cake like this is a must. xxx
These are such joyful pictures…very festive and lovely! Gorgeous cake…2 slices for me please:-)
Thanks Sonali xxx
Wonderful food styling and a great post. Have a very nice Christmas and New Year
I love how this cake looks like it is very easy. It looks like a nice cake for my church teas
I think you will love it Steph
I think you will loveit Steph
Beautifull and delicious!! Happy new year!
Thank you so much Maite and a very happy new year to you too.
Thank you for this recipe. I have tried it and it was lovely. I am a little confused by the reference to lemon juice in the instructions, but it is not listed in the ingredients. Regardless, this was a lovely recipe.
Hi Jannine I am so sorry I have amended the recipe – it should read 2 TBLSP lemon juice. Thanks for your kind words anyway. Have a wonderful Christmas season
By dried fruit cake mix do you just mean mixed dried fruits (sultanas, currants etc) or do you mean a packet cake mix? I’m in the UK so I’m not sure and there is no mention of the cake mix in the instructions. Confused…
Hi Alma, I apologise for the delay in replying to you I have been travelling for the past 6 weeks and for some reason my emails from my blog were not coming through to me. Yes I do mean mixed dried fruit, not the packet cake mix. I have amended the recipe for more clarification. Have a wonderful festive season.